The Doctor's Defender (Protection Specialists Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

your parents. Parents tend not to want to worry their children with their problems. Tomorrow you can ask more questions and press for answers.”
    She heaved a sigh. “I suppose you’re right. I just wish I could do something now.”
    “There’s nothing you can do tonight. He’s resting, and so should you.” Kyle held out his hand.
    She slid her hand into his, and the roughness of his palm rubbed against hers, creating friction. Sparks shot up her arm as he helped her to her feet. Not unpleasant but very surprising. How could just holding someone’s hand create such chaos inside her? She’d never experienced anything like it before.
    She extracted her hand. “You told my father you were ex–special operations for the Navy. What exactly does that mean?”
    He wiggled his eyebrows. “It means I’m special, in a good way.”
    She shook her head. He’d been charming to her mother and respectful to her father all evening. But with her, he was the jokester. Why didn’t he want to talk about himself? Most men she knew did. “Seriously. What did you do in the Navy?”
    “Swim.”
    Exasperation sharpened her tone. “You’re not going to tell me, are you?”
    His expression turned earnest. A look she liked on him. “I really did swim. My specialty was underwater reconnaissance and demolition.”
    It sounded dangerous. But then she already knew he was a man who sought the rush, the buzz, of danger. It made for a great protector but not the type of guy a woman could pin her heart on. If she were interested in pinning her heart on any man. Which she wasn’t. “I’ll say good night now.”
    “I’ll see you to your room,” Kyle countered. “After you.” He gestured toward the staircase.
    He wasn’t kidding when he’d said he was sticking close. “I hardly think anything’s going to happen to me on my way to my room.”
    “I’m cautious. Plus, I need to know where you are. Just in case.”
    Just in case the lunatic after her tried something here in her parents’ home. She rubbed her arms, fighting back a shiver of fear. “My room’s the first one at the top of the stairs.”
    She led the way upstairs. At her bedroom door, Brenda asked jokingly, “Do you need to check the room?”
    One corner of his mouth lifted. “What a good idea.”
    Her mouth gaped. She hadn’t meant for him to actually do it.
    He reached around her to open the door and brushed past her to enter the room. A second later he reappeared at the doorway. “No bad guys.”
    “That’s reassuring.” She met his gaze.
    The light from the hall heightened the blue of his eyes. They reminded her of a summer sky reflecting off Lake Michigan. The sudden longing to be out on the water, gliding through the waves, the sound of sails filling with the wind, gripped her.
    Just her and the boat on open water as far as the eye could see.
    She heard herself sigh. Saw the slow spread of a smile lighting up his face and realized what he must be thinking. Heat crept up her neck and into her cheeks. She was not sighing over him. But telling him that would only sound lame. And make her sound like an idiot. “Good night, then.”
    He set his hands on her shoulders. She sucked in a quick breath. Twin points of heat seared her flesh from where he gripped her with strong hands. With gentle pressure, he moved her aside so he could step into the hall.
    A fresh wave of embarrassment flushed through her. She’d been blocking his path out of her room. He must think her a complete airhead. Or worse, that she didn’t want him to leave her alone.
    Well, okay, maybe a part of her didn’t want him to go too far away. For safety reasons. Just in case. And if she kept telling herself that, maybe it would be true.
    “Good night, Brenda. Sleep well,” Kyle said with a two-fingered salute.
    She nodded like a bobblehead doll and watched him saunter down the stairs and disappear into the dark.
    She sagged against the door frame. She had to get a grip. She would not be